.png?ext=.png)
ASI is a proud supporter of inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated. This special feature to mark International Women’s Day on March 8 recognises the vital role women are playing in growing steel’s future.
Elham Haddo’s message to women contemplating a career in steel is simple – trust in yourself.
As NSW general manager of one of Australia’s leading engineering firms Chess Engineering and with a Master’s in Engineering Management and an MBA, Elham has worked her way up from project manager and later engineering manager to her current position. She combines her technical and practical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills.
Elham’s road to success hasn’t been easy. She arrived with her parents in Australia aged 20 from Syria, with two years of an engineering degree under her belt and limited English. The two years weren’t recognised, with Elham forced to start her degree again, but part time, with marriage and children in between. Ten years down that path she emerged with a degree.
Elham’s working life with Chess then started in earnest, with Elham determined to maximise her abilities in a progressive work environment that encouraged women to take on senior management roles. Elham says she has seen a dramatic turnaround in interest in engineering careers by women in the past decade. She said Chess in particular seeks out young women for steel careers.
“Women have recognised the benefits engineering careers offer and there has been uptake in women numbers from 14% 10 years ago to 25% now. This is still well short of what they should be but it shows a turnaround is happening.” Elham sees encouraging women into steel as a key part of her role at Chess – and her new role as a board member of the ASI.
As a multi-disciplined mechanical and structural steel engineering firm, Sydney-based Chess Engineering offers a wide range of services including mechanical manufacturing, industrial and commercial steel fabrication, design and construct, and steel installation solution. its new facility in southwestern Sydney.
Its new 12,299 sqm warehouse enables Chess to upgrade and move their steel production and distribution operations from Padstow to the new site in the Leppington Industry Park.
Homeira Aryanpad is a chartered professional engineer, holding a civil engineering degree from Adelaide University.
With a career spanning three decades, she has leveraged her engineering expertise as national technical and research and development manager at Bondor Metecno to play a crucial role in the management of accreditation programs and involvement in various industry technical working groups including collaboration with the University of Melbourne and Queensland University of Technology on sustainable engineering practices.
Homeira believes the Bahá'í principle, “The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly” resonates deeply across all aspects of life, including engineering. She has witnessed a positive shift over the years with the increasing participation of women in engineering. Recent research from 2023 shows that 23.2 percent of engineering graduates in Australia are now women. “While there is still progress to be made, more doors are opening for women in what is an exciting and rewarding career”.
Kerryn Day-Francis says she has worked with many amazing people across different departments and brands in 31 years in steel.
“I have been very lucky that over that time I’ve stayed in one company under different names and given opportunities in varied roles that have allowed me to evolve and learn.”
Starting out with OneSteel in an accounts payable role, Kerryn said she progressively moved into pricing analysis, application support, and business partner roles until talking on her current position of InfraBuild Steel and Tube Business Systems improvement manager.
“One of the main objectives I look for in my career is the prospects that will enable me to learn new skills, enhance and improve existing skills, and share my knowledge with and help others. I’ve been able to leverage off my project management skills, my ability to engage others for the challenge, as well as take on more responsibilities within projects and working across an organisation.”
She said she now took pride in mentoring women in particular and helping them achieve their potential.
National technical manager at Stramit Building Products Subo Gowripalan has seen a lot of changes since joining the company in 1990.
The image of steel as physically demanding and hard has changed, she said. “Women are now making their mark in all areas of steel, engineering in particular and also in manufacturing processes aided by automation and WHS requirements.”
Subo said Stramit was driving change by mentoring younger women to take on senior roles in the company and fully realise their potential; helped by flexible working arrangements, targeted recruitment and greater acceptance of women in what were perceived as traditional male roles.
Stramit is a national leader in the manufacturer and supply of roll formed steel building products including roofing, purlins, rainwater and flooring. Stramit’s NZ owner's Fletcher Building is working towards a target of 30% of women in operational and leadership roles.
Emma McCaughey from CPB Contractors is a champion for a diverse and inclusive construction industry.
At CPB Contractors, Emma is currently head of client and strategy for the Qld and PNG business init.
With a background in civil, aviation, mining and renewable construction projects, she has more than 20 years of construction experience working in both metro and remote locations, and holds both RPEQ and CPEng civil engineering, construction, and leadership and management accreditation.
In the diversity space, Emma’s focus has included chairing CPB’s Gender Equality Action Plan Taskforce, a member of CPB’s Women’s Advisory Board, founding member of CPB’s Queensland Women in Construction network seeking to increase representation of women within CPB, and the wider industry, as well as taskforce member for CPB’s Return to Work Program and Women’s Mentoring Committee which saw Emma win the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) QLD Award for Diversity in 2023.
Emma appreciates the process of mentoring and knows how important it has already been in supporting her career. “On my very first job with CPB Contractors my manager was an inspiring female engineer who provided me with the right tools, direction and knowledge. I am indebted to her for her willingness to openly share her experiences.”